Apples take over

We are blessed with an abundance of fruit growing freely in our backyard. Three apple trees, a plum tree, a peach tree, and grapes that travel over our fence line from our next door neighbor's yard. There is also a grapefruit tree growing in the abandoned yard directly behind our house, where I like to take the kids and liberate the tart little orbs.

This year our apple trees are producing like I've never seen, so I needed to find something to do with the plethora of green fruits. 

Thus, my first attempt at applesauce.

picked fresh today!

I poked around on Pinterest for a recipe, and found (of course) dozens of crock pot applesauce pins. I decided to Frankenstein a couple recipes together to come up with my own.

Step one:

Peel, core & dice 6-8 apples (depending on size.)

after this, I just gave them a really rough chop. not too small.

Step two: Stir together 1/2 Cup water, 1/4 Cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Step three: Add cut apples to crock pot, then pour liquid mixture evenly over apples. 

omg yum.

Step four: Set crock pot to "Low." They cook for about 4 hours total, but halfway through, I gave them a stir. (Ok, maybe I just wanted to get a really good whiff up close, cuz man oh man, did this smell amazing!)

Step five: turn crock pot off and mash apples with potato masher. Let cool & refrigerate. Or serve warm! Whatever you want! 

I'm thinking about making some pie dough & making dumplings with the mixture. Or topping my waffles with it. Or my ice cream, or stirring some into my oatmeal.....

The possibilities are endless :)

Dear Cupcake

my former love

Dear Cupcake, 

I miss you. But like any other bad relationship, I had to cut you loose. 

It's always the same thing with us. I'm drawn in by your delicate sweetness and so I commit to you mind, body, and soul. 

But you always betray me. 

5 lbs. 10lbs. 

Where will it stop? 

Type II Diabetes? Root canal? Obesity? 

Cupcake, I love you, but we're just not right for each other. 

I've already moved on to mini cinnamon rice cakes and things are going so well, I've practically forgotten what you look like.

So please, do us both a favor and stay away.

Signed,

A slightly less plump Mrs. Miscellanea

Lunch Trays Are Not Just For School Anymore

Confession: I am a Thrift Store Addict.  You can find the coolest things at the lowest prices, all you have to do is look! I was lucky enough to find a set of 4 of these rad lunch trays for just $1.75. Bright red, heavy duty, good quality. I knew when I spotted them that they would be the perfect thing for my picky Aspie & my even pickier toddler. The two of them cannot stand having their foods touch on their plates, so obviously, I had to have these.  

Even if your kids are not as particular as mine are, you might consider picking some lunch trays up. Kids love having their meals served in non-traditional ways, whether it be a sandwich cut into the shape of a whale or snack served on a school lunch tray.  

Another really fun thing to do is to set up meal time as a buffet. All you have to do is provide the healthy options, then let your kids take their tray through the line, picking & choosing what they like.    

Kids are more apt to try the food that's good for them if they're given some of the decision making power.

It really only takes a tiny bit of effort to help set your family up to make a lifetime of good choices.

Make it fun, and they'll be receptive, I promise!

You can find these lunch trays at almost any restaurant supply store, and who knows, maybe you'll be lucky enough to find some in your local thrift store :)